Nebreaska Cornhuskers Former Head Coach Mickey Joseph Issued a Stunning Letter to Current Head Coach Matt Rhule Concerning QB Dylan Raiola, that he..
In a passionate and unexpected message that’s rippling through college football circles, former Nebraska Cornhuskers interim head coach Mickey Joseph has issued a heartfelt and striking open letter to current head coach Matt Rhule concerning rising star quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Joseph, who coached the Huskers through a turbulent 2022 season and is credited with bringing stability and authenticity to the locker room during his brief tenure, made it clear that he still deeply cares about the direction of the program—and its most important player.
The letter, which surfaced Monday morning through Husker athletic department sources, is filled with encouragement, praise, and a powerful warning: handle Dylan Raiola with care—not just as a quarterback, but as a young man with the weight of a program on his shoulders.
“You’re Not Just Building a Team. You’re Raising a Leader.”
“Matt,” Joseph wrote, “I’ve watched Dylan grow since he was a kid with a dream and an arm. He’s got it all—talent, vision, fire. But he’s not just your quarterback. He’s the soul of what Nebraska could become again.”
Raiola, the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class and son of former Nebraska great Dominic Raiola, shocked the college football world when he flipped from Georgia and committed to the Cornhuskers—a massive recruiting win for Rhule and a symbol of the program’s renewed momentum.
Now, Joseph says, the job is more than winning games.
“Talent can win Saturdays,” he continued. “But character wins January. Dylan’s going to face pressure that few 18-year-olds can imagine. Expectations, spotlight, legacy—those things don’t come with a playbook. That’s where you come in.”
The “Nebraska Way” Isn’t Just a Slogan
Joseph, whose roots run deep in Nebraska football, emphasized that the program’s revival depends on more than big plays—it depends on identity.
“You’re not rebuilding a roster, Matt. You’re reviving a tradition. Dylan didn’t just come to Nebraska to sling the ball. He came here to bring pride back to Memorial Stadium,” Joseph wrote.
He urged Rhule to surround Raiola with not just great players, but mentors and leaders—coaches and teammates who will demand greatness while protecting his growth.
“Let him learn the game the hard way, but don’t let him walk it alone,” Joseph said. “You don’t crown a kid too soon, but you don’t bury him under pressure either. He’s your quarterback, yes—but more importantly, he’s your standard. The locker room will follow how you treat him.”
A Message to the Fans and the State
Though addressed to Rhule, the letter also carried a message to Nebraska fans and the state at large.
“This isn’t just about football. It’s about pride in our name, our colors, and our culture,” Joseph wrote. “Dylan chose Nebraska when he could’ve had the world. Don’t just cheer him when he wins. Stand by him when he learns.”
He ended the letter with a direct challenge to the entire Husker community: “If you want Dylan to carry Nebraska on his back, then you better have his.”
Rhule’s Response: “We Hear Mickey Loud and Clear”
While Coach Rhule hasn’t released an official statement, sources within the Nebraska football program confirmed that he read the letter and was “moved and motivated” by its message. A member of the coaching staff reportedly shared it with the team during Monday morning meetings.
“He’s not wrong,” one assistant coach said under anonymity. “Dylan’s special. But it’s on all of us to make sure we do this right. Mickey’s letter just put that into words better than anyone could.”
Raiola’s Path: All Eyes on Lincoln
Dylan Raiola’s first spring game drew record attendance and national attention, with fans and analysts calling him “the spark Nebraska’s been missing.” With a rocket arm, high football IQ, and early signs of leadership, he’s poised to be the face of the program—possibly even as a freshman.
But as Mickey Joseph’s letter reminds everyone: hype is fleeting, but legacy is built slowly.
And with the eyes of Husker Nation watching, Matt Rhule now faces a critical task—not just to coach a quarterback, but to shape a champion.